Best Model 29 Years/Variants
- Thread starter Wfevans4
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I may be a bit prejudiced but I like the 5-screw models without a number and then the " 29 - no dash" 4 screws - but I no longer shoot heavy loads in mine - there was some improvment to stop the cylinders from turning backwards in the early 80s I think.
The only S&W .44 mag I have that are newer than 29-3m are a couple of 629s - they are OK guns, one is a no dash and one is a 629 "classic" I forget the dash # on that one.
I think Bryan Pearce covers it in one of his videos recently.
Riposte
The only S&W .44 mag I have that are newer than 29-3m are a couple of 629s - they are OK guns, one is a no dash and one is a 629 "classic" I forget the dash # on that one.
I think Bryan Pearce covers it in one of his videos recently.
Riposte
In my opinion, The pre-lock Model 29-2 from 1962-1977 are some of the sweetest shooting Model 29's best quality
The last pre-lock Model 29-7 from the year 2000 is probably the strongest but good luck finding one.
I have no experience with the internal lock variances.
Tom
Model 29-7
The last pre-lock Model 29-7 from the year 2000 is probably the strongest but good luck finding one.
I have no experience with the internal lock variances.
Tom
Model 29-7
Best pre-lock variant for durability shooting 240 grain only.
Limiting the bullet weight to 240 grains certainly maximizes the number of variants that could be considered "best". I would guess that the variants that are most likely to produce excellent accuracy with cast lead bullets would be the 29-5 and 29-6. These are pre-lock (29-7) and have cylinder throats standardized at 0.429", although some 29-5's may have been made with cylinders that had the 0.432" throats. Model 29-4 and earlier versions of the 29 had a cylinder throat standard of 0.432", which is fine with jacketed bullets, but accuracy with lead bullets sized to 0.430" may not be great.
For the pre-endurance package Model 29's, a limited amount of full power magnum loads and shooting mostly 44 Special or loading your own reduced power loads will provide you with a life time of use. I think most Model 29/629 owners find that full power magnum ammo is not very pleasant to shoot.
For the pre-endurance package Model 29's, a limited amount of full power magnum loads and shooting mostly 44 Special or loading your own reduced power loads will provide you with a life time of use. I think most Model 29/629 owners find that full power magnum ammo is not very pleasant to shoot.
I have read many accounts that speak to the 29-5 being the height of the model 29. Then the 29-5 Classic Deluxe is supposed to be on the top of the heap with its'1.5" group guarantee at 50 yards
I don't own any S&W .44 Magnums that were manufactured after the Model 29-2s, although a nice early Model 629 might be something for me to consider. I really like the fit and finish and Coke Bottle stocks of the early .44 Magnums, and the quality of workmanship that continued through the P&R revolvers. I believe that any of the pre-lock variants would equally handle 240 gr. loads.
SLT223
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Anything S Prefix and late 80's-mid 90's would be my vote.
What heresy is being preached here???? There is ONLY one that is the best....29-2 with 6-1/2 bbl. You know the most famous question of all time....well.....dontcha???
Slightly paraphrased: I know what you're thinking....did he vote for the 29-2 six times, or only 5? Tell you the truth, I forgot myself but seeing as this is a 44 Magnum and.....(you know the rest)
Slightly paraphrased: I know what you're thinking....did he vote for the 29-2 six times, or only 5? Tell you the truth, I forgot myself but seeing as this is a 44 Magnum and.....(you know the rest)
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Pointblank2U
US Veteran
I'm fortunate to own a Pre-29 five screw, 4" blue.
https://photobucket.com/share/0a6f46af-39e3-41cc-94c2-08641c60f3da
https://photobucket.com/share/0a6f46af-39e3-41cc-94c2-08641c60f3da
I'm going to assume you are talking full loads. So, you want a 29 or a 629 with the endurance package. 29s with the EP are hard to find and expensive.
Those start with the 29-3E. 29-5 arguably the best design wise. The 629s start with the 629-2E, with the 629-4 arguably the best of the bunch.
These are pre-internal safety lock and pre-MIM parts. Personally, from a design standpoint I don't have a problem with MIM parts but from a collectors view point, some do.
JMHO the best design wise (a shooter) S&W 44 Magnum would be the 629-4 DX. The 5" being a grail gun for me.
My 629-4 5".
There is no proper answer to the OP's question! As seen from the posts above, every 44 Mag owner has his own opinion of "his best" gun because of his reasons for owning a 44 Mag! I own a few 44 mags and I would say "the best" is the one I am shooting today! We all enjoy the eye candy so thank you to all that have posted pics!
Which Model 29 did Smith Start beefing up the internals to stand the pounding of full power .44 magnum loads. I read about this but cannot remember when Smith made this change.
The very first changes came at the end of the 29-3 production, with the 29-3E. The 29-4 featured a full package of internal changes to strengthen the lock work and the 29-5 introduced the last improvement, the elongated cylinder stop notches.
Well, I can't argue with that - I have a 4" 29 "no dash" made in 1957, and a 4 Screw 6.5" which I forget the dash number if there is any, and I have had a 29-2 6.5" and an 8 3/8" 29-3 plus a couple 629s, make that three 629s, oops make that four (forgot about the Mtn. gun).What heresy is being preached here???? There is ONLY one that is the best....29-2 with 6-1/2 bbl. You know the most famous question of all time....well.....dontcha???
Slightly paraphrased: I know what you're thinking....did he vote for the 29-2 six times, or only 5? Tell you the truth, I forgot myself but seeing as this is a 44 Magnum and.....(you know the rest)
The one that got away was a 29-2 6.5". It shot select handloads into about 1/2" to 3/4" at 50 yards, perhaps I just got lucky with it. Alas I gave it to a good friend who "worried" a wild boar to death with a .357 magnum on our first boar hunt together - I think he still has it - somewhere along the line I wacked the barrel back to 5" and Parkerized it - it still shot good.
All the 29s or 629s I've had shoot OK - I did have some of the early ones that would occasionally turn the cylinder backwards with heavy loads - I increased the spring pressure on the bolt spring on one or two but mainly I learned that full house loads were hard on the gun and harder on the shooter - by backing off about 5% it was both more comfortable and it worked - these days I have backed off even more.
OTOH I discovered along the way a 260 SWC or flat point .45 at ~900 fps will work as well or even better than a 250 SWC, FP or JHP .430 at 1400 and will do it with a lot less discomfort. At least on critters that are no larger than 400 lbs - the .430 migh have some advatage in penetration on bigger stuff?
Just Ramblin'
Riposte
The best M29/variants?
The one you have or want. That would be the simple answer.
The collectors view point will be dramatically different than a shooters view point.
The old ones are becoming very valuable to shoot unless really worn out.
I have had a couple .44 and now only own one. A M629-4, made in 6-94, personally for the shooter it might be the best one. Mine is perfectly put together and much more accurate than the others I have owned. Easy to clean, mount a red dot or scope on, change front sights, and stocks.
Don't get me wrong if I could afford a 5 screw I would own it. But the question was the best not the most coveted.
Me and my M29-2 shooting steel at long range in the early "90's
My M629-4 after a spa cleaning.
The one you have or want. That would be the simple answer.
The collectors view point will be dramatically different than a shooters view point.
The old ones are becoming very valuable to shoot unless really worn out.
I have had a couple .44 and now only own one. A M629-4, made in 6-94, personally for the shooter it might be the best one. Mine is perfectly put together and much more accurate than the others I have owned. Easy to clean, mount a red dot or scope on, change front sights, and stocks.
Don't get me wrong if I could afford a 5 screw I would own it. But the question was the best not the most coveted.
Me and my M29-2 shooting steel at long range in the early "90's
My M629-4 after a spa cleaning.
unspellable
Member
Last no lock was the 29-9, but they are quite rare.
Technically that may be true but they were a Heritage series, not a factory production gun The Model 29-9 were built on a 4 screw side plate with a light contoured barrel by the Performance Center for Lew Horton. Actually you see them more often for sale than you may think, and they are almost all in pristine condition with the box because they were bought as a collector not a production gun. From what I have seen they were built over a couple years span starting about a year or possibly two after the lock was introduced into the production.
Tom
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One more question. Where these changes also done to the Model 57 (41mag) and Model 27 and Model 28?
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